Wendell Barnhouse is a nationally-known and respected columnist who has spent over 20 years covering collegiate athletics. He has reported from 25 Final Fours and more than three dozen bowl games and has written about the Big 12 and its schools since the conference's beginning. Barnhouse will be updating the Big 12 Insider on happenings and behind-the-scenes information about the conference.

Kansas
State's Victor Ojeleye has
been named the male winner of the 2012 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Award. He
was one of 10 finalists selected from over 600 candidates.

Baylor's
Robert Griffin III won the award last year and this year the Big 12 had more
student-athletes named finalists than any other conference. Emmanuel Acho of
Texas was a male finalist while Chelsea Garcia and Krista Lopez of Oklahoma
State along with Beth West of Texas A&M were female finalists.

"This
award is not something I would have ever dreamed of receiving, but because of
God's grace and the support of family, friends and K-State, I have been honored
to receive it," said Ojeleye said in a statement. "I am truly in the
company of great past recipients and I am fortunate to be able to represent my
family with such a distinction. I am very thankful for this and
appreciate it greatly. It is an honor and a privilege."

A
native of Ottawa, Kan., Ojeleye was a leader on and off the court during his
playing career (2008-12). A four-year lettermen and two-time captain for
the basketball team, he is a part of the winningest senior class in school
history with 96 victories. Ojeleye is one of just seven players in school
history to earn first team academic all-conference honors three times in a
career.

"Victor
exemplifies the term student-athlete and has represented Kansas State
University with the utmost dignity and class throughout his academic and
athletic career," K-State athletics director John Currie said. "Without question his selfless
leadership and support of his teammates and coaches has played a major role in
our on-court success over his career. His determination and commitment to
daily improvement in the classroom and in life serves as a model for not only
K-State student-athletes but also for his colleagues across the nation."

Ojeleye
graduated from Kansas State earlier this month with a dual degree in accounting
and finance.